Engine



Sept 14,1943. A. H. NEULAND 2,329,480I

ENGINE Filed July 19, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l zz' *5 22 l5 l 4f 27 1.5 25 *25 33 g z/l l l \L 50 60 a 52 J, g2 57 6 ,fg 76" 48 4g' 4g 75 /z /2 zg, 16' /6 fl ,y

20 w l0 Il' 86' 7g IN VENT OR.

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' se,u 14,1943. A, H, NEULAND 2,329,480

' ENGINE Filed July 19, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 vPatented Sept. 14, 1943 UNITED sTATEs PATENT oFEicEfa ENGINE f Alfons n. Nanna cleveland, om` Application .I uly 19, 1941, semi No. 403,190v4 ,1s Claims. (ci. 12a-s3) n This invention pertains to engines and particularly to internal combustion engines of a class wherein laterally reciprocable pistons are connected to a-rotatable power shaft by means of a non-rotatable wabbler. v

The general object of the invention'is to provide a compact internal combustion engine of light weight and simple construction capable of operating with high cylinder pressure and at high speed and to develop high power, and adapted for rapid production and assembly at low cost.

'A particular object is to provide an improved transmission mechanism and improved cooperation between the pressure in laterally arranged cylinders and the power shaft. Another object is to provide an enginecapable of operating at a relatively high but uniform temperature and to provide coordinated lubrication and cooling of pistons,l cylinders and the transmission mech-` anism. y,

This application is in part a continuation of my copending application Serial No. 393,308, filed May 14, 1941. d

My invention resides in novel struction and inthe arrangement and combination of its component parts. I'I'he foregoing and other objects and advantages willfappear in the following description and from the drawings showing several embodiments, and my invention will hereafter be more fully defined in the appended claims. I

Fig. 1 is a vertical section of an engine embodying my invention taken on the line H, in Fig- .ure 2.

Fig. 2 is partly an end elevation of the cylinder block with the end bracket and crankshaft assembiy removed, and is partly a transverse sec- .tion taken through the center of the cylinder block.

Fig. y3 is an elevation ofthe wabbler, the upper portion showing its outerly side and the lower portion its innerly side. e

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of pisto rod and piston, showing their construction and relation with associated parts.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the angular relationship between cylinders, shaft, bearing, wabbler and gears of the engine in Figure l.

Fig. 6 is a view of a modiiicationvof the multiportion crankshaft in Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation, partly in section of a modified embodiment Vof my invention. Y

The engine shown in Figures 1 to 5, consists of an engine body comprising a pair of thrust features of conf I2, I2', and secured .to a cylinder block I3 by suitable means such as the bolts I4, I4', forming a pair of crank chambersl, I5' atopposite ends of the engine The cylinder block is provided with pairs of associated cylindersl, I6'

'extending laterally between the crank chambers.

` erably alsoV at their apexes bythe web, The

cylinder Yblock may be madeof castfiron but is preferably made of l'a light metal, such as aluminum, and provided with wearjresistant'cylinder liners I9, I9', held' in place by the bracketsl I, I I', having induction and exhaust ports 20, 2W.,- respectively Afor the passage oftheworkirig fluid through the cylinders. rlhe inclinedposition of the cylinders directsjthe pressurethru'st from the cylinders substantially in a straight'line` toward the bracket bearings which, with otherA freatures of construction and arrangements hereinafter described, permits the useofa high lpresi sure in the cylinders without objectionable distortion of the cylinder block and brackets. 'I'he engine shown in Figures l to 5` has fourteen cylinders forming, in this instance;` seven double cylinders, but it will be understood that any number of cylinders may be provided that will form an operative or practical engine.

I provide improved means for effectively transforming the high pressure developed in the cylinders into torsional power. This means comprises a pair of identical and laterally separable, rotatable power shafts 2|, 2i', operatively asso- Y ciated with the engine body; a pair of identical vnon-rotatable wabblers 22', 22 of unitary construction operatively associated with the power shafts and engine body; piston and rod assemblies 23, 23 for the cylinders articulatively connected with the wabblers, and improved fulcrum means associated with the wabblers and the engine body.

Each power shaft consists of separable major and minor portions shaped to form a one sided inclined crank element" arranged within the crank chamber,v having an axisintersecting the power shaft axis at the vertex 24. The major portion comprises a main bearing journal 25, supported by-bearing I2 in bracket I I, a crank ann andan inclined internally splined annulus 26 'extending inwardly from thecrank arm, providing a thrust surface 21 atthe outer end of the crank element whichy is preferably shaped and heat treated to brackets II, II', provided with thrust bearings 55 form an integral lbearing race for the rolling bodies 2l. The major portion,` at the diverging end ofthe crank element'and dlametrically opposite therefrom, is' provided with a counterweight ll'whichfmay be formed seDal-atelyk from the shaft and secuxv'edA thereto'in a suitable manner, butwhichispreferably formed integral with the vshaft as shown 'in the ligure. The minor portion comprises a main journal Il, loperatively supported by the cylinder biockand. an'externaily splined inclined shank 3|, fitted within the assumo ever it will be understood that the bearing surface 21 may be modified to accommodate a plain bearing in place of the rolling bodies 28, when desired, or'rin instances when extra low friction is desired, rolling bodies may also be provided between the minor shaft portion and the wabbler as well as the gear I8 in an obvious manner, not

shown. The compactness and lightweight of splined annulus lso as to align-the" axes of the f main journals, andis formed to provide a thrust,

surf'acel! atthe inner end of the crank 'element'.

The maior and minor portions are firmly locked togetherby a threaded extension of the shankill and the nut "i Ihe inclined crankelement thus t formed extends only from one side of thea'vertex point 2l, is arrangediwhollyon one side'of the power shaft and provides Vbearing surfacesll and I2, that are eccentric 'with respect to the main.

journals but are concentric withea'ch other ont vizo an axis converging with the power shaft axisA at the vertex point 2l. Y

The wiibblers 22, Il areof construe tion, each being formed to provide a thrust beare ingI surface. 34 on one side operatively englinl the rolling bodies 2|and a thrust bearing sui'- vffice on the other sldeppreferabl'y direlyengaging the bearing surface 3'! on .the minor shaft portion. YThe outerpo'rt'ion ofthe wabbler' is formedy to provide conciwitieii 3l, one'` for each cylinder, and is further formed to: provide integral bevel gear teeth' I1 arranged concentric vwithland radially between the' ccncavitiesand' v the bearing surface 35. Itis seen that. the con'- cavities, b'earingsurfaces and gear teeth are all arranged in close proximity to one another and l Y that the wabblei thus constructed has a moderate diameter and forms a light weight element of great strengthand rigidityV The wabbler isipreferably made from heat treated alloy steelto provide hardenedl bearing-races directly in thebody ofthe element and strong gear teeth. The wabbier is arranged entirely on one side-of the ver'- Y tex point It and is rigidly'supportedonthe crank `element by the rolling-bodies1l andthe thrust surface operatively engaging the wabbler bearing surfaces I4 'and Il. and isheld in an eccentric and inclined position on an axisconverging with` the power shaft axis at the vertex; and its working clearance may be adjusted and wear in the bearings maybe compensated by merely e inserting a washer Il of proper tliicknessb'etween 'the maior and minor portions ofthe shaft.

I provide a'bevel toothedgear Il arrangedl con- `clearance between minorsha'ft portion and gear Il alainv beingatta'ined simpLvl'by provision of .ja suitable washer between thriutbearing i! lr and bracket il. construction of v:im nbbier.- inc separable ccnstruciicn ci uic power kshaft and the arrangement of Vassociated l parte results inra compact and extremely rigid i wabhief" and shaft assembly of lightweight and the effective use of anti-friction bearings'. Howthe wabbler and shaft assembly has other advantages. For instance it benables me to use crank chambers of moderate diameter and brackets of lightl weight and of a form well suited for transmitting the powerful thrust between cylinderblock and thrust bearings l2. i2' without ob- Jectionable distortion, and necessitates the use of onLv moderate counterweights which can readily behoused in crank chambers of small diameter.

The bevel gear Isand the bevel gear formed by gear' teeth 31 on the wabbler face are provided with identical pitch diameters and pitch cones and are positioned and arranged tofmeshwith each otherso that their pitch cone centers align with the vertex Il.

andthe bearing surface within the gear II need not neceasariiybe spherical, the provision of such spherical surfacesgreatly facilitates alignment. as it fixes the vertex point of the inclined crank element andpower shaft axes and insures the alignment of the pitch cone centers of the gears at the vertex by the simple expedient of the washer 4| providing a proper working clearance.

' My construction and arrangement provides a simple andcompact and inherently powerful Vani'l quietly operating fulcrum of light weight, and make the use of any standard tooth forln practicable. However I prefer to'provide gears with spiral bevel. teeth as shown in Figures 2 and 3 inorder to secure a quietly` operating'V fulcrum of hightorque ability. A'I'iie power shaft portions. the wtbbler and gear Il.` may ali-be heat treated to provide strong gear teeth as wellaswearlresistant bearing e '1 The'p'ower shafts 2i, 2i'. are rotationally. con'- nected tc operate-as a unitin nxedcircumferem tial relationship with one another. This ,-i'sac- ,compllshedbyanaxially -slidable joint-el' auch as splines cut in the ends of the shaftv portions. The shafts may .be 'formedto meshk with'each other but are preferably formed to mesh with splines in ane-intermediate shaft 4I arranged to Join the power shafts as shown in Fig. 1. Since'the shaft Il is formed separately from and is not called upon to provide rigid support for, thel ypowerlsliafts. 'it is constructed from light weight tubingand contributes towards reduction of the. engine weight. Furthermore any .small misalignment between maior and minor portions of one power shaft is not transmitted to the other and because of its local character any such small misalignment does not affect the operation, since each -power shaft floats separa'tely between its bracket bearing i2 and gear 'bearing It. I'he shaft Il noats in the splined Joint Il and is free to expand or contract laterally without disturbing the alignment of the elements with the vertex 2l. The inclined crank ofone powershitft is angularly displaced with respect to the other so that the exhaust ports open before the induction ports and the degree of such lead is readily secured, or it may be changed. bythe splined joint between shafts.

In engines using but a single shaft, the mu1tiportion shaft may be made inherently self align- In this connection itshould. be noted that while the bearing surfaces $2. 8l y ing. provided power is taken off aty the maior end of the shaft. This is accomplished b'y shaping the minor portion to form a sphere operatively engaging a spherical concavity, formed in the Bear 39, concentric with the gear pitch cone center or vertex, 24 as shown in Fig. v6, and in such instances the splines in the annulus 26 and in the shank 3i may be omitted. 'I'he shaftportions may be locked together by a threaded extension of the shank and a nut, as in'Fig. l, or, injany installation, may be locked together' in any other manner that will form a strong and rigid shaft and wabbler assembly. y l

'I'he construction of the piston andv rod assemblies wherebyv I secure effective on of pressure thrust in the cylinders to the wabblers will now be described with particular reference to the enlarged view of Fig. 4. Each assembly consists of a piston or sleeve I4 having-'an inwardly extending rim or flange I5 provided, on theside facing the combustion chamber, with a concavely spherical bearing surface which will be 'referred The piston rod '46, beyond' the outer side .of shoulder 41 is preferablyshaped tofform a thin walled taper tube and near the end is 'provided with a notched shoulder I4 and with an exter- V nally threaded portion B5 extending beyond the shoulder upon which a separately formed hollow head 56 is screwed land locked in place by a y pronged lock washer B1. engaging the notches to as ya concave, and on the other lside' provided with a convexly spherical bearing surface,v formed concentric with the concave, which will hereafter also be referred to as a convex.

provided with a bearing collar or shoulder '41,. which may .be formed separately from, Vbut is preferably formed integral with, the rod 40 and is provided with a substantial spherical bearing surface arranged to bear against the convex in flange 45. The protruding end of the piston rod is provided with an expanded end portion Il, preferably formed separately and securedto the end of the rod by suitablemeans, `such, as the locknut 49, and forms a piston rodi-head. One side of the head Il is exposed tothe interior o f the cylinder and the other side is providedwith a spherical surface in operative engagement'kwith the piston flange concave and vis shaped tol form therewith a cooling'or lubricating chamber Vlll having a substantialsurface in `close heat conducting proximity tothe exposed side of the head. Thus 4the bulk'of vthe high pressure developed in the cylinder--ismade tothrust directly Aagainst the head of the piston rodi and since only a narrow edge of piston sleeve Il is exposed tothe interior of` the cylinder the thrust on the piston sleeve Il and on the shoulder Il `is relatively head is nearly that of the cylinder bore, its moven One end of the piston rod Il extends through the flange 45 andis f in the shoulders. The head *'56, on its outer side,

'forms a spherical bearing surface 5I matching the concavity yI6, and on its inner side is provided with a concavely spherical rbearing Vsurface, 59

' concentric with vthe bearing 58. Within the hol- 1 low head and operatively engaging the bearing I9 I provide a retaining bearing -element 60 secured to the wabbler 22 by means of a nut 6|,

which forces the collar 62 firmly against a seat provided in the'wabbler. In assembling, the retaining element Bil is inserted into the hollow head through the threaded end before therod `but permits articulation of the rod with respect to the wabbler over a wide angle, and makes it small. Although the diameter ofthe piston rod.l

mentor weaving with respect to the lflange u, is t inconsiderable, for reasons which will hereafter -be morefully described.v Expansible sealing rings -sealing ring l2 is preferably made to exceed thel width of the port 2l, insuring free passage of the ring over-ports having substantial angularly extending openings. I'he ring 52 on its inner side is provided with a plurality of grooves 5l which are preferably tapered and may befformed separate from one another or may be cut inthe ring like an internal single or multiple thread, the grooves in the piston sleeve I4 being shapedto match, so as to form a tongue and groove like multiple seal. During operation, gas pressure against -the side of the ring forces the tongues in the ring 52 against the grooves in sleeve M and thereby prevents compressed gas from working under the ring and excessively pressing the ring against the cylinder wall. The concentric shape of the piston sleeve u permitsv it to be machined possible to incline the crank element at a steep angle and thus secure a long piston stroke with a small, rigid and compact wabbler and crank assembly, and ysince this construction permits 4 the center of the concavities in the wabbler vto be brought close to the ends ofthe cylinders, the length of the piston rods is reduced. The piston and rod assembly thus formed is rigid and'strong and well adapted to transmit a powersleeve may be formed with very thin lwalls pro- 'viding reciprocating assemblies vof light weight which help to reduce the engine weight and contribute to the smooth operation of the engine at high This construction and arrangement of cylinder block, power shaft, wabbler and associated parts forms a transmission mechanism that is light in weight, yet very powerful. Duras in the upper half of Fig. 1, the thrust, developed bythe pressure inthe cylinderis transferred to the bearing I2 through the solid portion of the power shaft in astraight line. lDirection of the thrust toward and its concentration from the cylinders upon the bearing I2 prevents distortion of the power shaft and substantially relieves the load upon the bearing surface I2 kof the minor shaft portion. This characteristic able conditions `pendicular with the power shaft axis 88.

' also prevents distortion of the wabbler during periods of highest cylinder compression, since, at this time. the rolling bodies- 28 are directly interposed between the wabbler and power shaft. It will be noted that the perpendicular axis of the rolling bodies 28 is inclined with respect to the line of thrust between the upper cylinderV c mit the eiiective use-.of high compression and combustion pressures and operation of the engine with compression ignition. Furthermore construction of the cylnderv block with inclined cylinders enables me to secure a combustion d chamber of favorable shape well suited for injection of liquid fuel, or for spark ignition when supplied with a suitable gas mixture. Referring 'to the upper'half of Fig. l, it is seen that the inclined heads 48, 48 form a wedge shaped combustion chamber 88, having a large volume-surface ratio and that the opening 88, adapted to accommodate a fuel injector or spark pl'ug, is positioned in the base portion of the wedge, providing a short radius for the fuel spray or favorfor flame propagation, respectively.

The inclination of the various elements of theY engine shown in Fig. l, and the angular rela- It will be noted that the concavity center 88 tionship of their axes may best be understood by reference to Fig. 5. In the figure, the .vertex point or intersection of the power shaft axis 88 with axis 84 of the crank and wabbler is indicated at 24 and the pitch cone of the gear 88 has an inclined angle of 17.5 from the per- In order to secure fulcrum gears with identical diameters and pitch cones, I incline the crank element axis 84, away from alignment with axis 88, twice the above anglefthat is 35,", and arrange gears 81 and 88 between the cylinders and the power shaft as heretofore already described. 'I'he cylinder axes 88 incline at an angle of 25 and converge toward the bearing I2 and intersect the axis 88 at the point 88, and the concavities 88 in the wabbler are positioned so that their center reciprocates along the arc 81, preferably an equal distance on both sides of the perpendicular 88 to the cylinder axis 88. The concavity centers 88 are preferably also positioned at -a distance from the vertex-24, vso as not to cross inwardly of the cylinder axis 88. Such positioning eliminates piston slap, keeps the piston sleeve in contact with the innerly portion of the cylinder wall and prevents the end of the piston sleeve from rubbing against the edge of port 20, especially when the ports extend over a considerable portion of the cylinder periphery. VFurthermore I preferably provide an angular relationship between 'the various axes in which the cone 88, formed by the concavitycenters 36 with the vertex 24, has a sharper angle than the angle formed by the gear pitch cone 31. This difference is indicated at 10 in Fig. 5 and permits formation of the unitary wabbler so that the teeth protrude beyond the wabbler face making it possible to moves with respect to the cylinder axis 88 substantially only the distance indicated at 1I, and

is accompanied by merely a slight movement of the head 48 with respect to the piston flange 48.

While the angle relationship shown in Fig. 5

represents a favorable arrangement it will be understood that other relationships may be employed depending on the characteristics which it is desired to secure.

I also provide lubrication for the bearings, gears and other parts and coordinated cooling of pistons, cylinders and the-transmission mechanism with but a single liquid, serving as a lubricant and coolant. Coordinated lubrication and cooling is facilitated by the hollow construction of the elements and is accomplished by provision, inthe cylinder Jacket 12, of a lubricantl such as oil, to serve as the cooling liquid for the cylinders and the provision of means for circulating the oil between Jacket andpistons and between through the ducts 14 and through the duct 18 in the wabbler, which is uncovered by the head 88 only when the piston is on inward position. At this timev the liquid in the hollow rod is thrown toward the piston and develops a vacuum at the duct 18, that draws liquid into the rod and at the same time develops a pressure at the piston ends that expels the liquid from the rod through the duct 18 into chamber 88 and out of the chamber through the duct 11, the liquid accumulating at the bottom of the crank chamber. The oil from the crank chambers is returned to the Jacket 12 by meansof a mild pressure that builds up in the chambers as a result of blow-by of/ compressed gas past the pistons. This pressure, acting on the bell check 18 provided at the bottom of each bracket, overcomes the tension' of spring 18 and through the duct 88 forces the oil back into the Jacket 12, the check valve serving to prevent oil in the Jacket from entering the crank case when the engine is not in operation. Oil also enters the duct 8| and lubricates the bearing in gear 88, the surplus escaping along the surfaces of the gear teeth and serving to lubricate them. This feature provides positive lubrication for all bearing surfaces and also maintains a uniform temperature in VoperativelyV associated parts and thus makes it possible to provide a close working clearance between cylinders and piston sleeves and between other operatively associated parts and to operate the engine simply by omitting the ducts 18 and 88 and supplying oil through the end of the shaft in the conventional manner by means of a duct 82.

With my construction and arrangement, assembly and disassembly of the engine can be quickly and easily effected; for instance, removal of the bolts I4 permits withdrawal of bracket H and the power shaft and wabbler assembly, and the rods and pistons may be withdrawn along with the wabbler or separately by merely removing the nuts 6I. Wear in the bearings of the shaft and wabbler assembly is quickly and easily compensated by the simple expedient ot the wash- `3. In an engine of the yclass wherein la nony ers 38 and 4| as heretofore alreadyset forth, and wear in the bearings of the vpiston sleeve, rod and concavities of the wabbler is just as readily taken up by the washers 83 and 84,` and as a result parts may be replaced and the engine may" be overhauled by the exercise of ordinary me`- rotating wabbler is operativelysupported by 9, rotatable power shaft on an inclined axis intersectin'githe axis of the power shafty in a plane subbe understood that one `or more of the features f herein disclosed may bev modified or combined to i form other embodiments. For example in Fig. 7,

I have shown how some of the features .of myl invention may be applied to forman engine provided with a valve head 81 and in which the vstan'tially at the vertex and is adaptedv to imrt movement to laterally reciprocable pistons and is provided with a bevel gear operatively engaging a bevel gear xedly associated with a stationary engine body: the combination with saidy engine body of laterally extending cylinders for vsaid pistons arranged to incline substantially with respect to the rotational axis of the power shaft inwardly towards said wabbler and meansincluding joints associated with the wabbler connecting the wabblerwith said pistons, each wabbler joint being positionedto formiwith said vertex an axis inclining substantiallyk from the perpendicular power shaft 88 is formed integral with the crank Y said cylinders and beyond the .dedendium angle element and the thrust is taken, not by the. bracket 89, but by a bearing 80 arranged within the fulc'rum gear 9|. The wabbler 8.2 is mounted upon the crank element 83 by means of the bearings 8| and 85, proportioned so that they may be slipped over the small end of shaft for assembling upon' the crank element.' However this embodiment lacks many of the advantages of the engine shown in Fig. 1, for instance, the wabbler and with thefwabbler axis in a directionawayfrom of said wabbler bevel gear..

4. In anvengineofthe classwhereina rotatable power shaft is provided, with anl inclined crank l element having an axis intersecting the axis of the power shaftsubstantially at the vertex and power shaft assembly does not have the same.

compactness and light weight nor has it thesame.

simplicity.

Various changes may be made in the details of y construction and combination of the variousparts of my device without departing fromy the spirit of my invention, and Idesire to cover by .my claims i 1'. In an engine ofthe class wherein an engine-f` body is operatively associated with a shaft andA l an oscillable wabbler is operatively supported by the shaft on an axis intersecting theaxis of a piston rodyis connected with alaterallyreciprocable piston:` the combination with said power shaft, piston rod and piston of an engine body I cylindervinclines inwardly toward said crank element: and a wabbler in operative association with the crank element .and engine body -provided with l Y aspherical iointconnecting the wabbler with the piston rod, the joint in said wabbler being .positioned so that its center, when inthe midway position of its lateral movement, and said vertex form an axis inclining away from the cylinder at the shaft in aplane substantiailyatthe vertex and is adapted to impartmovement to laterally reciprocable pistons arranged about the .shaft and is associated in operative fulcrum relation with said engine body: the combination with said engine body of laterally extending cylinders for said pis/tons arranged to incline substantially with its outer end and substantially away from the -V perpendicular with the axis of the crank element.

v reciprocable pistons are adapted to be operatively .connected with aneincli-ned crank element of a respect to the axis of the power shaft inwardly towards said wabblerkand means including Joints associated, with the wabbler connecting the -l wabbler with said pistons, each wabbler joint be-V s ing positioned so that its center forms with said vertex an axis inclining vsubstantially from the perpendicular with the wabbler axis in a direction away from said cylinders. y

v2. In an engine of the class wherein a nony rotating wabbleris operatively supported by a rof tatable. power shaft on an inclined axis intersecting the axis of the power shaft in a plane ters when in the midway position of their lateral movement form axes with said vertex which ineline substantially away from the cylinders and from the perpendicular with respect to the rotational axis of the power shaft.

' substantially at the vertex and is adapted to im- 5. Inan engine of vthe class wherein laterally rotatabley power shaft:l the combination with said power shaft of an engine body providedwith inclined cylinders for said pistons arranged to conver'ge inwardly towards said crank element and a wabbler operatively associated with the engine body .and said crank element Shaped 'to form on f the' side facing the cylinders a substantially conical face having substantially semi-spherical concavities arranged therein and means extending from said concavities connectingl the wabbler with said pistons. l

6. In an engine of the class wherein a rotatable y engine` body provided with laterally extending cylindersoperatlvely supports the power shaft, reciprocable pistons in the cylinders are provided with piston rods extending laterally out of the cylinders and a bevel gear is arranged concerll tric with and between the power shaft and said Vpiston rods: the combination with said crank element of a unitary wabbler shaped to form on the side facing the cylinders a substantially conical face having substantially semi-spherical concavities arranged therein connecting the wabblerwith ing with said bevel;y gear and on-its other side shapedto provide .a bearing surface in operative engagement withfsaid rollingbodies.

7. In an engine' ofthe class` wherein a rotatable i power shaft is provided with -acrank armandan inclined crank element extending from said crank yarm and laterally lreciprocable pistons are arranged about said shaft: the combination .with said power shaft of a cup shaped counterweight arranged opposite and in xed relation withsaid i crank'element'providing a hollowspaceibetween- Y the crank element andthe inner surfa'ceof said l counterweight; a non-,rotating wabblerioperatively associated with the crankelementand ar,-

ranged partly'within saidfhollowspace; an engine body operatively supporting thelpower shaft and provided wlthcylinders for said Ipistons arranged' 4able piston sleeve in each cylinder having an in- Y wardly extending iiange provided on one and the v other side thereof with concave and convex respectively concentric lwith one another bearing Vsurfaces@ piston rod for each piston sleeve provided-on one of its ends with ahead having one side substantially exposed to vtl'ieinterior of the l cylinderand having the other side operatively associated with the concave bearing surface of the piston flange and provided on the other end with a hollow head operatively associated with a confcavity insaid wabbler, a retaining element argranged within said hollow head in fixed relation 'f i with, and concentric with the concavity in said to substantially incline inwardly toward; said holy l low space, and pistonrods connecting tliewabbler with said pistons arrangedto extend intosaldl hollow space between` the counterweight -crank element as theshaft rotates.

`il. lin an engine of the class 'wherein laterally reciprocable pistons `having piston rods-adapted to be connected with a wabbler operatively; associated with an inclined' crank element ofarotatablepower shaft, and an engine bodyy operatively wabbler, and meansv associated with said rod in operativerelation with the convex bearingysurfaceof said piston ange for maintaining operative relation between the rod and said piston sleeve.

l1. In an engine of the class wherein a rotatable-*power shaft is operatively associated Vvwith a v1 non-rotatable wabbler and an engine body operf '.atively supports the power shaft and is provided with a laterally extending cylinder: the vcombination with said wabbler and engine body of'a re-v ciprocable piston sleevein said cylinder having an "inwardlyextending flange provided on one and supports thev power shaft:` the combination'with said engine body of A,laterally extending, cylinders for said pistons-arranged toinclinefinwardly t ward the crank elementsaidfenginesbody forming a bell shaped crank casefonsaid wabbler exprovided with anginclined crank element, a,rela tively movable wabbler is operativelyzsupported on said crank element-and lpxnvided with asplierb. cal concavity positioned to `laterally.,reciprocate with respect to said shaft, an engi-nebodyforms a crankchamber and a laterally extending, cylinder, and-a piston rodrconnectedswith avpiston within said `cylinder extends intofisaid crank:

chamber: the combinationwith f, the freeend of,

said piston rod-ofa hollowhead portion viixedly the'other side thereof with concave, `and convex bearing surfaces arranged concentric with one yanother, a rodk having one end portion operatively connected with the wabblerand having the other z end portion `provided with a shoulder bearing said'conve'x surface, and a head secured to the end of the rod beyond the shoulder having 1 vone side substantially expod to the interior of `the cylinder and having the other side operatively A yassociated with said concave surface.

k12. In an engineof the class wherein an engine laterally arranged cylinders extending' from the chamber and reciprocable pistonsin the cylinders: the combination with said pistons and engine bodyof afwabbler within the crank champ beroperat'ively connected with the pistons and *bearing surfaces on opposite'sidesthereof, and a :engine body and provided with radial and thrust rotatable multi-portion separable power shaft comprising a major portion and a'minor portion ing the power shaft axis substantially at the verf secured to said rod and providedwithanouter -vconvexly spherical bearing surfacein'operative association with the spherical-"concavity of rthev g wabbler and further` provided with an'inner concavely spherical bearing surface formed spheri- Ymajor portion being shapedV to form a one sided inclined crank lelement having an axis intersecttexand operatively supporting the wabbler substantially on one side 'of the vertex in an inclined and eccentric position, said shaft portions hav- -ing means engaging said thrust-surfaces and bel ing provided with means for locking the separable cally concentric with=said outersphericalbearf 1; xedly associated'with said major portion, ar-

ing surface, and a retaining element arranged within said hollow headin iixedrelationwithI the wabbler and provided with'a convexly spherical bearing surface operatively,engagingtheconi cavely spherical bearing surface'within said head.

10. In an engine `of the class -whereinashaft is provided with an inclined-crank element,v a.

relatively movable wabbler is operativelyfsupported on said crank element and providedwith 'Y spherical concavities positioned tolaterally reciprocate with respect to said shaft, an-en'gine body forms a crank chamber for saidvwabbler and laterally extending cylinders opening-into said crank chamber are subjectedtopressurenthe combination with saidl wabbler and cylindersof means for transferring thrust between said cylportions firmly together and a counferweight 'ranged opposite thecrank element and shaped to form a cupy partly surrounding said wabbler.

, 13. In an engine of the class wherein an engine body, comprising-a cylinder block-` and bearing bracket secured thereto, provides a crank chamberr and cylinders extending laterally from the crank chamber and pistons in the cylinders are connected with piston rods extending laterally into the crank chamber: the combination with said engine body and piston rods of a rotatable multi-portion power shaft shaped to form a one sided inclinedcrank element arranged within the inders and wabbler comprisinga `relatively mOvcrank chamber having an axis intersecting the power shaft axis substantially at the vertex, the shaft comprising a major portion having a main journal operativelysupported by the bracket, a

kbody formsa crank chamber and isprovided with f operatively supported by the engine body, the

2,82a4so 7 crank arm and an inclined internally splined annulus extending inwardly from the crank arm providing a thrust surface at the outer end of the crank element, andfcomprising av minor portion having a main journal operatively supported by the cylinderl block and having an externally splined inclined shank fitted within said annulus for aligning the axes of -the main journals and having a shoulder providing a thrust surface at the inner end of the crank element, and further comprising means for locking the major and minor shaft portions firmly together; and a wabbler operatively-connected .with the piston rods and engine body and operatively supported between the thrust surfaces of the crank element substantially on one side of the vertex in van eccentric and inclined position with respect to the axis of the power shaft. n

14. In an engine of the class wherein an engine body, comprising a cylinder block and bearing bracket secured thereto, -provides a crank chamber and cylinders extending laterally from the crank chamber and pistons in the cylinders yare connected with piston rods extending laterally into the crank chamber: the combination with said engine body and piston rods of a rotatable multi-portion power shaft shaped to form a one sided inclined crank element having an axis intersecting the power shaft axis substantially at the vertex and positioned within the crank chamber, the shaft comprising a major portion having a main journal operatively supported by the bracket, a crank arm andan inclined shank extending inwardly from the crank arm providing a thrust surface at th'e outery end of the crank element, and comprising a minor portion shaped to form a spherical surface operatively supported by the cylinder block and providing a thrust surface at the inner end of the crank element and further comprising means for Alocking the maior and minor shaft portions firmly together; and a wabbler operatively connected with the piston rods and engine body and operatively supported between the thrust surfaces of the crank element substantially on one side of the vertex in an eccentric and inclined position with respect to the axis of the power shaft. A

15. In an yengine vof the class wherein a pair of axially spaced non-rotatable wabblers are connected with oppositely arranged laterally reciprocable pistons: the combination with said wabblers and pistons of a pair of thrust brackets and a pair of rotatable axially aligned power shafts provided with a crank elem'entflxedly associated therewith and each shaft being vassociated with a wabbler and with a bracket and being provided with thrust bearing means for transferring thrust-between a shaft and a corresponding bracket; a cylinder block secured to said brackets forming therewith a pair of crank chambers for said wabblers and provided with substantially inclined cylinders for said pistons arranged on axes converging substantially toward thebracket thrust bearings and forming elbows extending laterally between crank chambers; and means for rotationally connecting the inner ends of said power shafts to operate as a unit including a laterally slidable connection associated with the inwardly facing ends of said power shafts.

16. In an engine of the class whereina pair of axially spaced wabblers are arranged to face opposite sides of a cylinder block provided with cylinders extending laterally through the block and with opposed reciprocable pistons in the cylinders provided with means for transferring the piston thrust to the wabmers: the combination with 'said cylinder block and wabblers of a pair of thrust brackets secured to the ends of the cylinder block, each bracket provided with a thrust bearing; a separate rotatable power shaft for each end of the block, each shaft having a crank element fixedly associated therewith and being associated with a corresponding wabbler and thrust bearing and provided with means for transmitting thrust therebetween; and means for rotationally connectingthe power shafts including a laterally slidable connection associated with the inwardly facing ends of said shafts. f l

l'l. `In an engine: an engine body comprising a thrust bracket provided with a thrust bearing and a cylinder block secured to the bracket forming therewith a crank chamber and provided with laterally extending inclined cylinders arranged to have their axes converge substantially toward said thrust bearing; an assembled multi-portion rotatable power shaft engaging said thrust bearing and shaped to form a one sided inclined crank element provided with a pair of oppositely arranged separable thrust bearlng surfaces having concentric axes intersecting the power shaft axis substantially at the vertex and provided at its diver-ging end with an .oppositely positioned counterweight; a bevel gear xedly associated v with the cylinder block and arranged concentric with the power shaft between the cylinders and the shaft and having its pitch cone center substantially aligned with the vertex; a wabbler on. said crank element provided on opposite sides with bearing means engaging said thrust bearing surfaces, and provided with integrally formed bevel gear teethvmeshing with, and having the same pitch diameter and pitch cone as, and their pitch cone center substantially aligned with that of said rst mentioned gear, and further provided with a spherical bearing con-cavity for each cylinder, and concentric with each concavity provided with a retaining bearing element; and thrust transmitting means comprising' a reciprocable piston sleeve in each cylinder having an inwardly extending flange provided on oneand they other side thereof with concave and convex respectively concentric bearing surfaces, a rod having one end portion provided with a shoulder bearing against said convex and a head removably secured to the rod beyond the shoulder having one side substantially exposed to the interior of the cylinder and having the other side operatively associated with said concave, and a. hollow second head removably secured to the other end portion of the rod provided with external and internal convex and concave respectively spherically concentric bearing surfaces operatively engoging said spherical concavity and Lretaining bearing of the wabbler. l

18. In an engine: an engine body comprising a pair of laterally spaced thrust brackets, each provided with a thrust bearing and a lcylinder block secured the brackets forming therewith a pair of crank chambers and provided with inclined cylinders arranged on axes converging substantially toward the thrust bearings and forming elbows extending laterally between crank chambers; a pair of assembled multi-portion rotatable and axially aligned power shafts in the crank chambers engaging the thrust bearings, each shaft forming a one sided inclined crank element provided with a pair of oppositely arranged separable thrust bearing surfaces having concentric axes intersecting the power shaft axis substantially at the vertex and provided at its diverging 'l end with an oppositely positioned counterweight; a pair oi' bevel gears rlxedly associated with the cylinder block and arranged concentric with the power shaft between the cylinders and shaft, each havingits pitch cone center substantially aligned with a corresponding vertex; a pair of wabblers in said crank chambers, each associatedwith a crank element and provided on opposite sides with bearing means engaging said thrust bearing surfaces and provided with integrally formed bevel gear teeth meshing with and having the same pitch diameter and pitch cone as, and their pitch cone center substantially aligned with that of said first mentioned gear, and further provided with a sphericalbearing concavity for each cylinder, and concentric with each concavity provided with a retaining bearing element; thrust transmitting means between the interior of the cylinders and the wabblers, each means comprising a, reciprocable piston sleeve in the cylinder having an inwardly vextending flange provided on one and the other side thereof with concave and convex respectivelybearing surfaces, a rod having-one end portion provided with a shoulder bearing against said convex and a head removably secured to the rod beyond the shoulder having one side substantially exposed to the interior of .the cylinder and having the other side operatively associated with said concave, and a hollow second head removably secured to the other end portion of the rod provided with external and internal convex and concave respectively` sphericalLv concentric bear- Ving surfaces operatively engaging a spherical concavity and retaining bearing ofan associated wabbler; and means i'or rotationally connecting said power shafts including a laterally slidable joint. Y

ALFONS H. NEULAND.

All 

